Tuesday Edition — May 12, 2026

Mid-May and the city is absolutely buzzing. New restaurants, a speakeasy on the way, David Byrne in town tonight, and the Bulls are on a homestand. Let's get into it.

Chef Michael Lee is finally cooking Korean. — The guy behind five Durham restaurants is opening M Hansik at Wye Junction (501 Washington St) in the former Plum space this month. Modern Korean fine dining rooted in the food he grew up eating. It might be the most anticipated opening of the year. More below. (Hey Durham)

A 1920s speakeasy is headed to downtown. — Red Phone Booth — a prohibition-era bourbon bar and cigar lounge — is opening its first North Carolina location at 125 Orange St this June. Enter through an actual red phone booth using a secret code. Inside: craft cocktails, Neapolitan pizza, leather seating, and a “mafia room” upstairs. They're already accepting memberships. (Red Phone Booth)

Little Barb's Bakery closing May 31. — The Durham Food Hall favorite will close its doors at the end of the month. The team says it's not goodbye forever — just the end of this chapter, with a new venture on the way. If you haven't had their pastries yet, you've got a few weeks.

Durham Greek Festival is back. — This Saturday and Sunday (May 16–17) at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Rain or shine, free admission, and if last year's baklava line was any indication — get there early.

Here's the thing about Michael Lee — he's opened five restaurants in Durham and not a single one of them has been Korean. Until now.

M Hansik is Lee's most personal project yet. Opening mid-May at Wye Junction in the 4,100-square-foot former Plum space at 501 Washington Street, it's a modern Korean fine-dining concept rooted in the food Lee grew up eating. Think traditional Korean dishes — reimagined with the kind of technique and creativity that made Lee one of the most respected chefs in the Triangle. The name itself is a nod to heritage: “hansik” means Korean cuisine, and the “M” is, well, Michael.

He's talked publicly about wanting to honor the food of his childhood while giving it the fine-dining treatment Durham deserves. The menu will feature playful interpretations of classic dishes — expect elevated banchan, modern takes on jjigae and bibimbap, and a beverage program that leans into soju cocktails and Korean-inspired pairings.

This opening comes at a moment when Durham's Korean food scene is having a real glow-up. Between Dosirak's wildly popular pop-ups, the incoming Dosirak Outpost on Main Street, and now M Hansik, the city is quietly becoming one of the best spots for Korean food in the Southeast. Lee is betting big on that momentum — and given his track record, we'd bet on him too. Keep an eye on their socials for the exact opening date.

501 Washington St (Wye Junction), Durham, NC 27701
Hours TBA — check website closer to opening
$$$ (fine dining)
mhansik.m-restaurants.com

Narrative Coffee is now open downtown and it's giving exactly what Durham needed — specialty coffee in a bright, community-focused space. Worth a detour from your usual spot.

Crank Arm Brewing — the bike-and-beer crew from Raleigh — has officially set up shop in the Beckon Building in Durham's warehouse district. Good beer, good vibes, very on-brand for this neighborhood.

Durham Farmers Market is in full Saturday swing at Durham Central Park (8am–noon) plus Wednesday markets are back (3–6pm through mid-October). Peak strawberry season right now. Go early, bring cash, thank a farmer.

Dosirak Outpost is coming to 307 W. Main St this summer — a Korean convenience store with grab-and-go kimbap, cup ramyeon, turtle chips, and hard-to-find Korean ingredients. Kristine Suh has been running the Dosirak pop-up at Remy's for months and it always sells out. This one's going to be special. (WUNC)

🎤An Evening with David Byrne at DPAC

Tonight, May 12. The Talking Heads legend brings his “Who is the Sky” tour to Durham. If you don't have tickets already… good luck, but check resale. DPAC

⚾Durham Bulls vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Homestand through May 16 at DBAP. Midweek baseball on a warm evening? That's the move. Schedule & tickets

Durham Greek Festival

Sat–Sun, May 16–17 at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC-751. Free admission, incredible food, live music and dancing. The gyro and baklava lines are worth it.

John Crist Live at DPAC

Saturday, May 16 at 7pm. One of the biggest names in comedy right now, with special guests Wellington Ojukwu and Maggie Depalo. DPAC

DPAC Rising Star Awards

Sunday, May 17. Durham's own Tony Awards for high school theater. Tickets are $25 and it's always surprisingly great. DPAC

Hamilton opens at DPAC

Wednesday, May 20 through June 14. WRAL's Greatest Hits of Broadway. Tickets start at $52. If you've been waiting for this one, the wait is almost over. DPAC

The Bulls are mid-homestand against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at DBAP, with games running through Saturday, May 16. Midweek games are the best-kept secret — shorter lines, easier parking, and those $2 Thirsty Thursday beers hit different under the lights. Check the schedule for first pitch times and promo nights.

Gorgeous start to the week — 74°F today with a mix of clouds and sun. The rest of the week is looking mild and pleasant, classic mid-May vibes. Saturday for the Greek Festival and Farmers Market should be beautiful. Patio season is very much on.

Indy Week dropped a great profile on the new beer bar concept coming to Main Street — a morning coffee, evening craft beer kind of spot that wants to be Durham's “daily spot.” It's the kind of hybrid concept that feels inevitable for downtown. Worth a read if you care about what Main Street is becoming. (Indy Week)

Can we talk about what's happening with Korean food in Durham right now? Michael Lee finally cooking the food he grew up with. Kristine Suh turning her pop-up dream into a real storefront on Main Street. Remy's hosting those sold-out Dosirak nights. This isn't a trend — it's a community finding its voice in a city that actually shows up for it. Durham keeps proving that the best food scenes aren't built by hype. They're built by people who love what they cook and a city that loves to eat. We're here for every bite.

Made with ❤ in Durham, NC